Corrine Brown

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition of this so- called District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Act. This piece of legislation would put our educational system at risk. Supporters of this bill argue a chance for a better education; however, 93 percent of the students in our Nation's Capital will not benefit from this $45 million bill. There is no evidence that vouchers are an effective way to improve education. In fact, it leaves those students who cannot benefit from this voucher system worse off. Every child in the District of Columbia and across the Nation deserves our assistance for a quality education. I urge my colleagues to listen to the people of our Nation's Capital who want to build their community and not dismantle a public education system of which many of us have been beneficiaries. Make no mistake about it. The Republicans want to dismantle public education in this country and not work to strengthen it.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in opposition to this amendment. The vote on this amendment is a no-brainer. Even though today might be April Fools, in 14 days it will be tax time; and on this day, every single person will contribute their share to the pot. This pot reminds me of my grandmother's sweet potato pie. We all contribute to that pot every year. So when it comes time to cut it up, we should all get a piece. That includes women and minorities. Women and minorities contribute their share to the Federal Government, so why should they be excluded from getting part of the goods and services? The DBE program is simply one tool to make sure that we are on a level playing field when it comes to competing. Vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to strongly support the amendment by my colleague from Illinois. Mr. Chairman, today I had lunch with the CEO of United Airlines, Jerry Greenwald, who sits on the President's Welfare to Work Task Force. I want to commend United for employing 500 former welfare recipients with the goal of 2,000 by the year 2000. This is a success story. But he told me what many of us already know, that the most serious barriers for former welfare workers entering the work force are, one, child care, and transportation. Through reverse commuter programs, transit vouchers and van pools many of these people can get to work. Mr. Chairman, let us put our money where our mouth is and get welfare to work going. Increase this budget and support this amendment.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I want to indicate my strong support for H.R. 2400 and thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for working hard on the donor State issue, and making this day possible. As the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) said, this is money for transportation from those who use transportation and pay for it in gasoline taxes. It is a common-sense approach to funding infrastructure. Much has been said about the high priority projects, and I just want to say that these projects ensure safe travel for millions of Americans and help stimulate the economy. As the chairman has said, sometimes money going to States does not trickle down to all parts of the State. Poor and rural communities are not always represented, and a high priority project from a Member of Congress is the only way some of these needy projects can be funded. I also want to say that I work very closely with the local mayors, city councils and commissioners and citizens when it comes to determining necessary projects. It is a true partnership between all levels of government. This is not pork, Mr. Chairman, it is bringing the transportation infrastructure of this country up to a world class level. Safety for all Americans and good for our economy.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a historical healer, Mary Jane Lawson Brown, who has been considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of health care in Palatka, Florida. Born in 1882, Mary Jane Lawson was an incredible person by any measure, let alone an historic and extraordinary woman. In 1915, Mary Jane Lawson enrolled in training school for embalming, one of the only two women at the school. Completing her courses of study in the same year, she became the first African American licensed to perform funerals in the State of Florida. In 1918, she opened the Mary Lawson Sanatorium. At first, the sanatorium cared for the African American residents of the Palatka area. However, by 1922, the sanatorium was caring for people of all races in a community desperately short of health care facilities. The 35-bed Mary Lawson Sanatorium, later to be renamed the Mary Lawson Hospital during the 1930s, housed x-ray equipment, a laboratory, and surgical facilities. For a long period in Putnam County history, the Mary Lawson Hospital was the only location in the county equipped for physicians to perform surgery. As the owner and administrator of the primary health care center in Putnam County throughout the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, and the 1950s, Mary Jane Lawson has been regarded as a blessing to Palatka. In 1925, Mary Jane Lawson and her close friend, Mary McLeod Bethune, started the first chapter of the Advancement of Colored Women, which continues to be a large national organization today. Mary McLeod Bethune founded the Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida, and lived in Palatka during the 1920s. During this time period, Mary Jane Lawson provided assistance on several efforts to attain funding for the college that Cookman had started. This was yet another way Ms. Lawson gave back to the community. Mary Jane Lawson lived to be 79 years of age. The efforts of Ms. Lawson extended to her granddaughter, Mary Lawson Brown. Ms. Brown and her son, Theodore Brown II, are both licensed funeral directors who live and own the Lawson & Son Funeral Home; and it has remained one of the largest and oldest business in the Palatka community. As we celebrate Women's History Month, I ask that my colleagues join me as I applaud this historical healer who shares her talents among the residents of the great State of Florida.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was away from the House with the President on the historical visit to Africa. I was unable to vote on Rollcall votes 68 through 80. If I had been here I would have voted as follows: Rollcall--68, aye; 69, nay; 70, aye; 71, aye; 72, aye; 73, nay; 74, nay; 75, nay; 76, nay; 77, yea; 78, nay; 79, aye; 80, nay.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I want to say that I am a strong supporter of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. For many years we have worked to bring Africa to the world table with trade and economic development, and today will be an historical day for our country. I also want to commend President Clinton for his upcoming trip to Africa, where he will be the first sitting United States President to visit Africa to promote relations and trade. Many Americans are descendents of slaves brought here from Africa. In fact, it is estimated that 400 million Africans died in the slave trade process. This bill is just a first step in reworking our relationship with Africa. I think it makes an incredible statement to finally establish a positive economic cooperation between this country and Africa, and we must take this opportunity to do it. Infrastructure is a key component of economic growth and development, and it is the country's vision for economic success. As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I have seen this in our own country. I support the Davis amendment because it is critical that these countries have the proper equipment with which to grow. Our excess air traffic control equipment and technical assistance in this area could be very beneficial to these countries. This bill and this amendment is the first of what I hope are many steps toward developing economic and political relationships with Africa. It will give these African countries an opportunity to expand their economic and political potential through a strong link with the United States.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on January 5, 1998, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, opposing the planned merger of MCI Communications and WorldCom. The Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO (CWA) also opposed the merger, but this was not well covered by the mainstream media. It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, that the points which Reverend Jackson and the CWA have raised with the FCC deserve serious consideration and debate. At $48 billion, this will be the largest corporate merger in this Nation's history. It involves two companies which have historically opposed the right of their workers to organize and belong to labor unions. It also involves two companies which historically have limited their investment in many of our Nation's under-served communities. In February 1996, President Clinton called for the American telecommunications industry to expand its capital investment, to expand its hiring, and to expand its efforts to build a stronger, more connected America. Since then, MCI and WorldCom have channeled virtually all of their investment to serving business and upper income communities. They have made no investment in America's inner cities. In fact, when you look at the leadership of these two massive companies, Mr. Speaker, it reflects virtually none of today's rich American tapestry of diversity. Only one of 14 members of the MCI board of directors is not of European American descent, and WorldCom's board of directors is the only major telecommunications company in the U.S. whose board of directors is made up of only white men, with no race or gender diversity. Mr. Speaker, we all hear and read about how these giant corporate mergers are going to help, but how will they help issues of job creation and greater opportunities for All Americans? I would like to commend Reverend Jackson for addressing this important issue.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I was away from the House with the President visiting the tornado damage in and around my district in Central Florida. I was unable to vote on roll call votes 19 through 24. If I had been here I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote: 19--Aye, 20--Aye, 21--Aye, 22--Aye, 23--Aye, and 24-- Nay.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of a ``most outstanding musician'', Kernaa D. McFarlin. At age eleven, Kernaa D. McFarlin began his career in Tampa, Florida under the tutelage of Captain Carey W. Thomas, retired director of bands at Florida A&M University. Later, he played in the Middleton High School Band and received a scholarship to Florida A&M upon graduation. During his college years, he was the woodwind section leader in the band and orchestra. Kernaa credits Leander Kirksey with outstanding woodwind instruction. In 1943, Mr. McFarlin was inducted into the U.S. Army and soon became a member of the famous 92nd Infantry Division Band. During his military career, he attained the rank of Sergeant. After leaving the army, Kernaa returned to Florida A&M where he participated in the college bands under the direction of William P. Foster. Because of Mr. McFarlin's experience and training, he was able to provide valuable assistance and leadership in the development of the newly re-activated college band program. Upon graduation, Kernaa McFarlin was appointed to be the first official band director at Stanton Senior High in Jacksonville, Florida. During his tenure as the band director, he earned a Master's Degree from the New York University. McFarlin's bands amassed a total of nineteen consecutive years of superior ratings in the Florida Association of Band Directors and the Florida Bandmasters Association contests. Other highlights of the achievements of this band include: Being selected as Florida's representative at the 1964 New York World's Fair, participating in three Florida Governor Inaugural parades, and being selected by the Florida Department of Education in 1966 Midwest National Conference of Colleges and University Education's ``Education Is For All'' convention. In 1966, Mr. McFarlin's Stanton High School band was recognized by the ``Instrumentalist'' magazine as one of the ``highly regarded bands in the Southeast.'' For the past twenty-seven years, Mr. McFarlin served as an honorary member and adjudicator of the Florida Bands Association. He received over fifty awards for musical excellence and community service. Mr. McFarlin's achievements can best be described by his students who all echoed that ``Mr. Mac'' as they lovingly referred to him, not only taught them music, but character and Christian values necessary for successful living. An award, ``Most Outstanding Musician'' was named in McFarlin's honor has been established at the Stanton Preparatory College Band and is given annually to the most deserving student. As a former student of Mr. McFarlin, I am delighted to mention that the great State of Florida has been most fortunate to have shared the gifts and talents of Kernaa D. McFarlin. Mr. McFarlin passed on December 21, 1997.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with grave concern regarding legislative initiatives to restrict voter registration and turnout. The so-called ``Voter Eligibility Confirmation System'' in effect threatens voting rights of the American constituency. As introduced, this legislation would establish a federal program for state and local elected officials to ``confirm'' the citizenship of registered voters and voter registration applicants. The proposal would allow elected officials to submit the names of voter registration applicants and registered voters to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Social Security Administration for citizenship confirmation through a computerized system. With all due respect to my colleague, this is bad policy! The data on which this system is based is inaccurate. The fact is that an American citizen can have a social security number and stand the possibility of not being confirmed as a citizen by the Social Security Administration. Thousands of U.S. citizens were naturalized before the agency began keeping computer records at all. As a result, our fellow Americans will be targeted to have their voting rights undermined by the use of such a system. Women and minorities in our Nation have historically been singled out and questioned based on their surnames or appearance. Although this American struggle has made many progressions, this act of discrimination should not and must not be tolerated by our distinguished House. Under current federal and state laws, both voter registration fraud and voter fraud are crimes. The notion that massive citizenship verification procedures are needed does not align with the facts. The data received from the House Oversight Committee hearing in 1995 revealed that the real problem of voter fraud had to do with the abuses of State absentee ballot laws, not by Latinos or Asian Americans. Let's get real. This bill attempts to set measures that not only overturns the Privacy Act projections, but recreates a system that affects the minorities in our America. As the Honorable Jimmy Carter so eloquently stated in his 1981 farewell address, ``America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense . . . human rights invented America.'' As we move into the new millennium, let us continue to build bridges in our Nation. We need to address the facts of this proposed legislation and not be distracted by the rhetoric. All Americans should have the inalienable right to vote and that right must not be determined based on whether an elected official decides that one of our fellow Americans is ``ethnic-looking'' versus ``American-looking.'' In closing, I will leave with the powerful statement of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.''

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished Lieutenant Glen S. Leverette of the United States Navy. On March 17, 1998, Lieutenant Leverette will be recognized by the Newport County Council, Navy League of the United States and the Rotary Club to receive the Military Service Member of the Year. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Lieutenant Leverette graduated from Fletcher Senior High School, Neptune Beach, Florida in 1986. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, and Jacksonville University, where he received a Master of Arts in teaching. Commissioned in May 1990, Lieutenant Leverette has had a versatile career as a naval officer, from the Command Information Center and Assistant Operations Officer on the cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), to his current assignment as the Propagation Detection/Command and Control Unit Lead Instructor at Surface Warfare Officers School Command (SWOSCOLCOM), Newport, RI. Lieutenant Leverette was cited for his sustained superior performance during his tour with the SWOSCOLCOM. He has served with the utmost distinction as an instructor, student advisor, and ADP Officer at Division Officer Training Department. Lieutenant Leverette's professional knowledge, enthusiasm, and motivation has had a direct impact on thousands of officers. Due to his dedication of duty and sustained superior performance, Lieutenant Leverette was selected as the Instructor of the Year by his peers. As a community leader, Lieutenant Leverette provides counseling, spiritual, and pastoral support for more than 150 members in the Providence, Rhode Island Metropolitan area as Pastor of the Congdon Street Baptist Church. As an advocate for youth in his community, he supports the Baptist Youth Fellowship and the City of Providence's Adopt-A-Child program. Lieutenant Leverette currently resides in Taunton, Massachusetts with his wife Marian and their daughter Kalea. I am pleased to salute Lieutenant Glen S. Leverette of the United States Navy on his outstanding accomplishment.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of a ``most outstanding musician'', Kernaa D. McFarlin. At age eleven, Kernaa D. McFarlin began his career in Tampa, Florida under the tutelage of Captain Carey W. Thomas, retired director of bands at Florida A & M University. Later, he played in the Middleton High School Band and received a scholarship to Florida A & M upon graduation. During his college years, he was the woodwind section leader in the band and orchestra. Kernaa credits Leander Kirksey with outstanding woodwind instruction. In 1943, Mr. McFarlin was inducted into the U.S. Army and soon became a member of the famous 92nd Infantry Division Band. During his military career, he attained the rank of Sergeant. After leaving the army, Kernaa returned to Florida A & M where he participated in the college bands under the direction of William P. Foster. Because of Mr. McFarlin's experience and training, he was able to provide valuable assistance and leadership in the development of the newly re-activated college band program. Upon graduation, Kernaa McFarlin was appointed to be the first official band director at Stanton Senior High in Jacksonville, Florida. During his tenure as the band director, he earned a Master's Degree from the New York University. McFarlin's bands amassed a total of nineteen consecutive years of superior ratings in the Florida Association of Band Directors and the Florida Bandmasters Association contests. Other highlights of the achievements of this band include: being selected as Florida's representative at the 1964 New York World's Fair, participating in three Florida Governor Inaugural parades, and being selected by the Florida Department of Education in 1966 Midwest National Conference of Colleges and University Education's ``Education is for All'' convention. In 1966, Mr. McFarlin's Stanton High School band was recognized by the ``Instrumentalist'' magazine as one of the ``highly regarded bands in the Southeast.'' For the past twenty-seven years, Mr. McFarlin served as an honorary member and adjudicator of the Florida Bands Association. He received over fifty awards for musical excellence and community service. Mr. McFarlin's achievements can best be described by his students who all echoed that ``Mr. Mac'' as they lovingly referred to him, not only taught them music, but character and Christian values necessary for successful living. An award, ``Most Outstanding Musician'' was named in McFarlin's honor has been established at the Stanton Preparatory College Band and is given annually to the most deserving student. The State of Florida has been fortunate to have shared the talents of Kernaa D. McFarlin. Mr. McFarlin passed on December 21, 1997.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with grave concern regarding legislative initiatives to restrict voter registration and turnout. The so-called ``Voter Eligibility Confirmation System'' in effect threatens voting rights of the American constituency. As introduced, this legislation would establish a federal program for state and local elected officials to ``confirm'' the citizenship of registered voters and voter registration applicants. The proposal would allow elected officials to submit the names of voter registration applicants and registered voters to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Social Security Administration for citizenship confirmation through a computerized system. With all due respect to my Colleague, this is bad policy! The data on which this system is based is inaccurate. The fact is that an American citizen can have a social security number and stand the possibility of not being confirmed as a citizen by the Social Security Administration. Thousands of U.S. citizens were naturalized before the agency began keeping computer records at all. As a result, our fellow Americans will be targeted to have their voting rights undermined by the use of such a system. Historically, women and minorities in our Nation have been singled out and questioned based on their surnames or appearance. Although this American struggle has made many progressions, this act of discrimination should not and must not be tolerated by our distinguished House. Under current federal and state laws, both voter registration fraud and voter fraud are crimes. The notion that massive citizenship verification procedures are needed does not align with the facts. The data received from the House Oversight Committee hearing in 1995 revealed that the real problem of voter fraud had to do with the abuses of State absentee ballot laws, NOT by Latinos or Asian Americans. Let's get real. This bill attempts to set measures that not only overturns the Privacy Act projections, but recreates a system that affects the minorities in our America. As the Honorable Jimmy Carter so eloquently stated in his 1981 farewell address, ``America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense . . . human righters invented America.'' As we move into the new millennium, let us continue to build bridges in our Nation. We need to address the facts of this proposed legislation and not be distracted by the rhetoric. All Americans should have the inalienable right to vote and that right must not be determined based on whether an elected official decides that one of our fellow Americans is ``ethnic-looking'' verses ``American-looking.'' In closing, I will leave with the powerful statement of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.''

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as African-Americans, we have known for quite some time that our professional and personal achievements would come through business ownership and participation in the economy. `The path towards empowerment' has been a struggle, but we are seeing the rewards. The `path toward empowerment' begins with a sound education and personal commitment. With these key ingredients, our young men and women can achieve their goals and make a difference in the areas of science, business, finance, and education. I am pleased to recognize Bethune Cookman College as a school in my district that is building a state of the art hospitality center for minorities. I have testified for several years to get funding for the Mary McLeod Bethune Fine Arts/Hospitality Training Center, which will create an economic stimulus from Jacksonville to Orlando. The Center will train minorities for management and leadership positions in Florida's tourism industry. Historically, African-Americans have been limited to non-management positions in the tourism industry. This complex once finished will provide hands-on hospitality management training for careers in the hotel, restaurant, tourism, business travel, conference and convention industries. The center will not just be a complex of classrooms and training facilities--it will be a tribute to one of America's foremost champions of civil rights and public education for African-Americans. In addition to mentioning Mary McLeod Bethune, I would also like to mention the literary contributions of Zora Neale Hurston an Eatonville, FL native who represents a dominate voice of the Harlem Renaissance period. Hurston was a prolific writer, and her writing style has inspired famous poets and novelists. Her contributions to the twenty- first century have inspired the Zora Neale Hurston Society at Morgan State University and the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of Arts and Humanities in Eatonville. African-American, men and woman, have carved a noticeable place in the fabric of our Nation. And, heroic pioneers like Mary McLeod Bethune and Zora Neale Hurston represent famous Americans who have shaped and enriched our lives. Their legacy lives on and generations to come will be educated and nurtured at Mary McLeod Bethune/Cookman College, and ambitious young writers will read Zora Neale Hurston's novel ``Their Eyes Were Watching God'' for inspiration and literary guidance. Note that the heroines I have referenced are just a fraction of the great African-Americans who have shaped this country. Their contributions laid the foundation for myself and younger generations. In closing, I would like to recognize Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like, Bethune Cookman College, Edward Waters College, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University--located in Florida--because they represent a light of hope for young African- American men and women. These colleges and universities represent approximately 3 percent of American institutions of higher learning, but they award one-third of all bachelor's degrees as well as a large share of graduate degrees earned by African-Americans every year. Our HBCUs protect, support, educate, and nurture students and they give them the tools needed to compete in business and life. As we approach the twenty-first century, I know HBCUs across America will continue to be a light of hope for young African-Americans traveling on their paths toward independence and financial empowerment. In my opinion, this special order passes on the light of hope to young African-Americans and beckons them to continue their quest for knowledge and wisdom.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to explain my opposition to the bill passed today renaming Washington National Airport Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. First of all, as a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, let me say that it is inappropriate that we reported this bill without hearing or markup in subcommittee. Hearings are a very important part of the political process here in Congress. That is where we learn what the implications of our actions might be, including the cost of renaming the airport, which includes changing signs around the region and airport designator codes around the world. Today the leadership ushered through a bill without knowing what the real costs or the impact would be to the Washington metropolitan region. Second, naming, in this case renaming, a building or airport is a very important decision. In respect to the family and the memory of the person named, there should be bipartisan support. And there should be no opposition from the Member of Congress whose district contains the facility. None of my colleagues would want the Federal Government to come into their district and rename an airport without the support of the airport authority. That is what happened today. That is not what Ronald Reagan stood for. My opposition is not only with the process, but also with the fact that naming this airport after Ronald Reagan is a totally inappropriate way to honor him. President Reagan's legacy will not be for aviation or transportation. It will be for his efforts to build a strong military and, with the support, I might add, of a Democratic Congress, bringing an end to the Cold War. A fitting honor to him would, therefore, be a defense-related one. Well, guess what? In the year 2000 a United States Air Force carrier will be named in his honor. President Reagan will join great Presidents such as Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Kennedy, and this is a fitting honor. We have also named the second largest Federal building in his honor. A new Federal trade center just a few blocks from the White House bears his name for millions of tourists to see each year. What more could be done to honor a President still living? I think for now we have done enough. History will still have to judge the Reagan era, and before we go further in naming things around the country, we should view it in a proper context, after sufficient time has passed. But most important, why the airport? Ronald Reagan's aviation policies were controversial, and not all Americans agreed with his policy. Many Americans do not feel that running up billions and billions in deficits was good policy. We should respect their feelings and not force them to enter this great city through a controversial monument. The word national welcomes everyone, and that is what this country and city are all about. I hate to be put in this position, when we were pressured to vote on an important issue that will be costly, involving wrongful governmental intervention into local business and renaming a public facility, something we have never done before. This is not a time for this discussion when President Reagan is ill. I have to say that this is a sad day in this Congress.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, first of all, as a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, let me say that it is inappropriate that we reported this bill out without a hearing or a markup in subcommittee. This is an important decision we are making today, and I urge my colleagues to consider all of the information. Naming National Airport after President Ronald Reagan is unnecessary government intervention and duplication, and, in addition, he is not known for being a champion of aviation policy. Quite the contrary, his aviation policies were often divisive and controversial. Although we differ on political views, I do respect him as the President. First of all, as a member of the aviation subcommittee, let me say that it is inappropriate that we reported this bill without hearings or a markup in subcommittee. This is a very important decision we are making today, and I urge my colleagues to consider all the information. I hate to be put in the position like this, when we are pressured to vote on an important issue that will be costly, involves wrongful government intervention into local business, and renames a public facility--something we have never done before, when President Reagan is ill. This is not the time or place for this discussion. I will not enter into a partisan debate on this issue. I think the simple facts speak for themselves. We have already honored President Reagan for his achievements. Many credit him for bringing an end to the Cold War, and I think it is fitting that there is an Aircraft Carrier to be named in his honor, as America's defense buildup helped bring an end to the Cold War. Additionally, we have honored him again by naming the largest Federal building outside of the Pentagon after President Reagan. This building which completes the Federal Triangle project is just a few blocks from the White House, and in plain view to the millions of tourists that come to Washington every year. And in President Reagan's home state of California, a Federal courthouse bears his name. This is an addition to countless other roads, bridges, and buildings that have been named after him across the country. Naming National Airport after President Reagan is unnecessary government intervention and duplication. And additionally he is not known for being a champion of aviation policy. Quite the contrary, his aviation policies were often divisive and controversial. Although we differ in political views, I do respect him as a President; however, I truly feel he has been honored, and in many ways unlike any other President, in terms of the number of honors to him in the short period of time since he has left office. Let us stop the politics and move on to real business. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of my colleague and our distinguished United States Representative of the 9th Congressional District of California, Ron Dellums. Congressman Dellums will retire from Congress on Friday, February 6, 1998. Congressman Dellums, currently in his 13th term, has remained a vigorous advocate for arms reductions, peaceful resolutions of international conflict, and for alternatives to the use of military force and covert intervention as a principle investment of U.S. foreign policy. During Congressman Dellums' first campaign, he embraced the agenda of the Civil Rights movement, for the Equal Rights Amendment for Women, along with other elements of the social justice and human rights agenda. He remains a staunch advocate for these causes having noted: I did not join the Armed Services Committee to learn about missiles, planes, and ships; I joined because I knew that I would need to become an expert in this field in order to argue successfully for military spending reductions that would free-up resources for the human needs that I see in my everyday community. Throughout his tenure in the United States Congress, Mr. Dellums has provided critical leadership in the effort to curb military spending and in effect, reverse the nuclear arms race. He has often been the first to articulate the danger, waste, or redundancy of weapon programs. In addition, he has vigorously examined the state of our military establishment including its purposes, its budget and other issues including sexual harassment and racial discrimination in the armed forces. After serving two years with the U.S. Marine Corp, Congressman Dellums received his A.A. degree at Oakland City College, a B.A. from San Francisco State University, and a M.S.W. from the University of California at Berkeley. This distinguished gentleman, born in Oakland, California began his career as a psychiatric social worker, a job training and development program manager, and a nationally prominent consultant on community job-development programs. Being a United States Representative who served in the armed forces and provided expertise in the field of social work, Mr. Dellums has often used the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with regards to the social effects of our military spending, which states: ``The bombs that are being dropped in Vietnam are exploding in the ghettos and the barrios of America.'' Mr. Dellums, like the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. saw the burden that the Cold War placed on the economy as it robbed our communities of its vital resources. During 24 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Ron Dellums has served in many capacities, including: Foreign Affairs Committee; Select Committee to Investigate the Intelligence Community; Post Office and Civil Service Committee; Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 101st Congress; and as the representative and military panel member of the North Atlantic Assembly. We have been most fortunate to have Mr. Dellums in our United States Congress for he has been a leader for rational military policy and has remained committed to the belief that world peace leads to social justice. Today, we not only recognize our U.S. Representative, Ron Dellums, but we salute him as a great American hero. Thank you Congressman Dellums for your dedication and commitment to serve our Nation. You will be missed.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call attention to what I believe is a human rights travesty happening right here in this country. First, we should not be considering immigration issues on the appropriations bill for the District of Columbia. Second, we should not be discriminating against our neighbors in this Hemisphere, the Haitians, with regard to our immigration policy. Mr. Speaker, this bill has provisions to grant certain groups of immigrants permanent residence and others have extensions of time for consideration of their applications. The Haitians have been given absolutely no special provisions, even though many of them have been persecuted, just miles from our shores. This is a disgrace because it is blatant discrimination, that the conferees failed to correct, and tonight, the Rules Committee failed to correct. Mr. Speaker, I have seen the Rules Committee make far more drastic changes to bills than what would have been required here to restore fairness to our immigration policy. Mr. Speaker, correcting the U.S. immigration policy with regard to Haitians should be the first priority in the second session of the 105th Congress. I intend to make sure it happens. We need to treat our neighbors with dignity and respect, and most of all, treat them fairly.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Representative of the Florida Third Congressional District, I am so proud today to honor one of Jacksonville's own, Robert Ingram. This Tuesday is Veterans Day. Our annual celebration of the commitment and sacrifices made by our Nation's veterans. There are more than 26 million veterans today, many of whom served during times of conflict. Many veterans live in my home State of Florida. We are proud to have them there. We are proud of their service and proud of their civic action. I also want to recognize for Veterans Day the many women veterans who have contributed to our Nation's security and preserved the American way of life. Last month, the Women in Military Service Memorial was dedicated in honor of more than 1 million women who have served this great country. I urge everyone to visit this great special place when they are in Washington. Our veterans face many challenges. I urge the President to speedily designate and the other body confirm a Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I want to say a special thank you to all veterans, and today I want to honor one in particular. As my colleague from Florida has explained, Mr. Robert Ingram performed incredible acts of courage, honor, and bravery while he was a marine stationed in Vietnam. We ask so much of our young men and women when they are placed into conflict, particularly in conflict that was so unpopular. Corpsman Ingram gave medical attention to other soldiers, even after he himself was injured with a bullet wound in his hand. He suffered even more wounds to his knees and face, yet continued to help others as they called on him. He continued to administer medical aid to others after receiving a total of 4 bullet wounds. The Medal of Honor is awarded for bravery and courage, acts beyond the call of duty. Robert Ingram has had an incredible fighting spirit to stay alive, to help his brothers in combat and to serve our great Nation. I am very proud today to honor a man from Jacksonville and the great State of Florida. He deserves this Medal of Honor and should not be a victim of administrative error or oversight. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and salute this great veteran.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to talk about human rights in Ecuador. On October 1, I traveled to Ecuador to visit several American prisoners who have been held for many years without even a trial. I made my first trip to Ecuador in April of this year, where I was surprised to see the horrible conditions of the prison and the chaotic condition that exists in the justice system. Ecuador is a Third World country that cannot afford decent prisons. Many prisoners do not even have bathrooms or food that is safe to eat. The justice system is incredibly corrupt. Judges and lawyers ask for bribes, and it is only the wealthy who can buy their way out. Almost 80 percent of the prisoners in this country have been held on drug charges. Because Ecuador has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, I have been told by several officials that this policy is a result of pressure from the United States. I firmly believe that we need to be tough on crime. But the problem in Ecuador is that the drug laws are so sophisticated that you have to have a good functional justice system to administer these laws. Ecuador does not. There is no computers in the courtroom. It takes months before the police even let the courts know that someone has been arrested. And then you can sit in jail for years before anyone acknowledges you. The problem is that when, and if, the people go to trial, more than 60 percent of them are found innocent. Let me repeat this. Sixty percent of those people are found innocent. This is a travesty. And in this system, there are almost 60 Americans. But there has been progress. The condemnation of international attention and visits by Members of Congress in this part of the country has shed light on the situation. I am proud today that since April, Ecuador has released more than 800 Ecuadorean prisoners who were trapped in this unjust system. One of those prisoners was an American who was released last month after my visit. I spoke about this woman when I came to the floor in May to talk about the problems of this horrible system. Her name is Sandra Chase. She is a 53-year-old woman who suffers a terrible circulatory disease. She was arrested in December 1995 during her first trip out of this country. It took almost 18 months for the police to take her deposition. While she was in jail, Sandra lost her house and everything she owned. On October 7, the Ecuadorean Government gave amnesty to Sandra Chase. She came home October 9, and her daughter Tammi and I met her in Miami. She is now with her daughter in California where she is receiving treatment for her disease. I cannot express how happy I was that after almost 2 years, Sandra Chase was able to come home to her family. What a terrible nightmare she suffered. I am submitting a letter for the Record that I have sent to the Minister of Government in Ecuador thanking their country for their release of this prisoner. While I am extremely grateful for the cooperation, I remain very concerned about another prisoner in Ecuador, Jim Williams. He has been held for 14 months, and the judge in this case continues to refuse all of the evidence presented on his behalf. This is a very good example of how the justice system does not work. Jim Williams has brought an incredible amount of attention to the justice system in Ecuador and has helped many lives by doing so. I continue to pray for Jim Williams and his family. This Sunday night, November 9, Jim Williams and other American prisoners in Ecuador will be featured on 60 Minutes. I hope that this program will show the American people what is happening to our neighbors in South America and encourage this country to take a closer look at our policy in South America. Finally, I want to thank the family of Jim Williams for their continued strong support. My thoughts and prayers go out to each of them, especially to Jim Williams' mother, who sends me cards of encouragement, and to Jim Williams' loving wife Robin Williams, who have worked campaigning for her husband each day since his arrest, and his brother Charlie Williams who refused to give up the fight. Robin and Charles are in Washington tonight working on behalf of Jim Williams.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2 of rule IX, I hereby give notice of my intent to offer a resolution which raises a question of the privileges of the House. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be printed in the Congressional Record in its entirety.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, in this discussion we need to talk about the important role passenger rail plays in the lives of our citizens and our economy. What this Amtrak authorization bill really is about is keeping the vital links open. There are provisions in the authorizing bill that disregard labor agreements already agreed to by labor and management. If we are really serious about keeping Amtrak running, if we are really serious about supporting the working people of Amtrak and getting people to work, we must vote ``no'' on this Quinn amendment. Mr. Chairman, when I served in the Florida House of Representatives we had a saying: ``Loving a bill to death.'' That is what is happening here. We are talking about how we support Amtrak and we support Amtrak workers, but we are putting provisions in here that we know are a killer to the working people of Amtrak and the men and women of this country. Mr. Chairman, in this discussion, we need to talk about the important role passenger railroads play in the lives of our citizens and to our economy. What this Amtrak authorization bill really is about is keeping this vital link open. There are provisions in this authorization bill that disregard labor agreements already agreed to by labor and management. This will kill the chance for a smooth labor negotiation and create a transportation nightmare. The LaTourette-Traficant bill adds reason and fairness to this bill. It leaves the issues of wage and contracting to the labor and management negotiators. This amendment must be part of the bill. The negotiators must have the ability to work out the best deal. If we are really serious about keeping Amtrak running and getting people to work, we must vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time of the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters].

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend marked the much anticipated opening of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. This beautiful monument honoring our Nation's women veterans tells an important story of the place of women in the service and protection of our country. I am so proud that so many women from Florida turned out for this big opening. I want to commend Sheila Chamberlain and the Women Veterans Organization for making this happen. I want to take a moment to briefly highlight the role of women in this Nation's conflicts. We all witnessed the spectacular events in the Persian Gulf war where more than 40,000 women made significant contributions. However, women have served this country in all of its conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War. Women were hired in early wars as cooks, seamstresses, scouts, and couriers. Doctor Mary Walker, an Army physician who served during the Civil War, was the first and only woman awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The first Army and Navy nurses corps was established during the Spanish-American War after a typhoid fever emergency forced the Army to recruit 1,500 women. Women were first recruited as members of the Armed Services in World War I, serving in roles ranging from nurses to telephone operators to clerks. More than 350,000 women served in World War II, including the first female officers. More than 200 military women died in action overseas during the Second World War. In Korea, the war which occurred shortly after we fought the war to end all wars, 48,000 women served. And in the Vietnam conflict, 7,500 women served this country in one of its most controversial conflicts. We can be proud of the women who have served this country so faithfully, making ultimate sacrifices just like their male counterparts. In fact, in early conflicts women served even though they could not vote and before they were allowed to officially enlist in the Armed Services. Let me repeat that. In fact, in earlier conflicts women served even though they could not vote and before they were allowed to officially enlist in the Armed Services. Women have many more gains to make in the military, as pilots, ship captains and as leaders of ground forces. I am glad that they are entering these areas and encourage all to continue making this progress in these new territories for them. We must keep in mind that in this day and age of the All Volunteer Armed Forces, we must attract all of our people to serve this country, and this includes women. Women are vital to our Nation's defense, and I am so happy that this memorial was dedicated to all of those who have served. I congratulate all of our women active duty people, women veterans and, under the leadership of General Vaught. I congratulate all those who made this memorial possible.